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1 " But," he said, "British or otherwise, you are merely woman.""With all due respect," she replied firmly, "in my country, the king is a woman. And she never breaks her promise. "
― Elizabeth Hand , Anna and the King
2 " Please inform His Excellency that his use of the word soon is inaccurate," she said coldly. "It means in a timely manner, which, in my case, obviously no longer applies. "
3 " The king was intrigued."You are teacher?" he said at last."I am, yes," said Anna, flustered."You do not look sufficient of age for scientific teaching. How many years have you?"Anna fought to maintain her composure. "Enough to know that age and wisdom do not necessarily go hand in hand, Your Majesty."The King's eyes narrowed. He considered whether or not to return this volley, then:"I doubt you would say same for being bold and English."Anna smiled ruefully. "They are rather inseparable, I'm afraid. "
4 " You articulate logical answer under pressure, Mem Leonowens," Monkut pronounced without looking at her. "That is very kind of—," panted Anna."—but irritating superior attitude King find most unbeautiful. However, it will serve you well given decision I now make. "
5 " Prince Chulalongkorn lifted his chin proudly. "Siam, population six million, spreading across forty-nine bountiful provinces, from Burma in west to Cambodia in east. All presided over by King Maha Mongkut, Lord of Life, whose strength and power reach everywhere."At this, all the royal children smiled and nodded knowingly. Louis looked at the map, then at his mother. Unable to resist a joke, he said, "Not in my house they don't."Chulalongkorn turned to him haughtily. "Son of teacher is forgetting—I am son of king."The younger boy shrank back, embarrassed. "Son of teacher could care less. "
6 " And the king stared at her, puzzled, almost angered, by her sacrifice and his own inability to fully understand it—or her.“Why did you intervene?” he said at last. “Because my conscience demanded it.”“And boys’ fisticuffs?”“I beg your pardon?”The king gave her a condescending look. “I suppose since you must be both mother and father to son, tendency to overprotect is strong.”“Louis can take care of himself, Your Majesty,” said Anna tartly. “It was your son I was protecting. But thank you for the dinner—” she curtsied and turned to go—“although I don’t think it was necessary.”“I know my son. You would still be there.”Anna stopped. “Perhaps,” she said, eyes flashing. “But my point would have been made. Not yours.”King Mingkut tapped his chin. “Husband must have been very understanding.”Anna drew herself to her full height and stared fearlessly up at the throne. “My husband was never threatened by my ideas and opinions.”The king met the challenge of her gaze with his own, and waited for her to look away.She did not. A full minute passed before he said, “And because I am also such a man, I will allow you to always stand upright in my presence. Providing head shall never be higher than mine.”Anna curtsied gracefully. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” She stole a look at the Kralahome. He was staring at her in disbelief, his face red. It was unheard of, that anyone could stand taller than a member of the royal family! Then, with a rustle of taffeta and crinoline, Anna turned and walked out of the Audience Hall.“Too many buttons,” murmured the King as he watched her go. The Kralahome shook his head. “Your Majesty, I believe there has been enough insult caused by this woman who believes herself to be the equal of a man.”“Not the equal of a man, Chao Phya,” said the King. His gazed remained fixed on the door. “The equal of a king. "
7 " Please, Mem, it is too hot. Can you make some now?”Anna smiled. She smoothed strands of sweat-dampened hair from the child’s brow and said, “Oh, Fa-Ying! Just because your father can make it rain doesn’t mean I can make it snow.”“At last I discover her limitations.”Anna whirled to find herself eye-to-eye with the King on his royal elephant. She bowed respectfully and adopted a more formal tone. “I have many, Your Majesty. "
